Applicators for catamenial devices

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for the fabrication of tampon applicator tubes in which thin-walled tube blanks are supplied, without damage, by a feeder mechanism to a tube forming unit which shapes the forward end of each tube, in a sequence of operations including crimping, folding inwardly, exercising to weaken the folds to facilitate ejection of the tampon, and refolding. The tubes are resiliently carried by tube supports mounted on a first, intermittently rotatable turret and are positioned to be acted upon substantially simultaneously by a set of dies carried by a second turret reciprocably mounted to advance and retract to and from tube engaging positions. Both outer and inner tampon applicator tubes may be formed in this manner by utilizing appropriately shaped tube supports and dies. After shaping the forward ends, the tubes are transported to a machine which applies and bonds a ring to the outer tube near the rear end thereof. Bonding is accomplished by gluing the ring to the outer surface of the tube with a suitable adhesive deposited in drops by an extrusion means.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Joseph A. Voss Denver, Colo.; Carl W. Johnson, Neen'ah, Wis. [211 App]. No. 690,001 [22] Filed Dec. 12,1967 [45] Patented Mar. 9, 1971, [7 3] Assignee Said Johnson to said Voss Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 464,127, June 15, 1965, Patent No. 3,358,354, which is a division of Ser. No. 266,914, Mar. 21, 2 3a 04,232..

[54] APPLICATORS FOR CATAMENIAL DEVICES 17 Claims, 45 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 93/77, 93/36, 93/36.5, 93/39, 93/94 [51] Int. Cl B3lb l/32, B31b l/52, B31b 43/00 [50] Field of Search 93/36 (MM), 36.5, 39 (CO), 77 (CC), 79, 94 (CFC); 128/263; 29/207, 234, 237

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,299 9/1936 Reed 93/36(MM) 3,505,931 4/1970 Voss 93/94X 464,650 12/1891 Baldwin... 29/207 2,018,705 10/1935 Conti 93/35 2,109,505 3/1938 Rue 93/94(OFC) 2,248,534 7/1941 Meyer 93/94(OFC) 2,288,966 7/ 1942 Blanchet 93/94(.0FC) 2,639,646 5/1953 Thompson... 93/36.5 2,696,745 12/1954 Cooper 29/237X 2,769,377 11/1956 Jennings 93/36.5X 2,922,422 1/1960 Bletzinger 128/263 3,204,635 9/1965 Voss '128/263 3,261,084 7/1966 Mirsky 29/234 3,347,234 10/1967 Voss 128/260 3,358,354 12/1967 Voss 29/419 3,407,564 10/1968 Randrup.. 93/94(OFC) 3,433,225 3/1969 Voss 128/263 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,125,836 10/1958 Germany 93/94(OFC) Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Fraser and Bogucki ABSTRACT: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for the' fabrication of tampon applicator tubes in which thin-walled tube blanks are supplied, without damage, by a feeder mechanism to a tube forming unit which shapes the forward end of each tube, in a sequence of operations including crimping, folding inwardly, exercising to weaken the folds to facilitate ejection of the tampon, and refolding. The tubes are resiliently carried by tube supports mounted on a first, intermittently rotatable turret and are positioned to be acted upon substantially simultaneously by a set of dies carried by a second turret reciprocably mounted to advance and retract to and from tube engaging positions. Both outer and inner tampon applicator tubes may be formed in this manner by utilizing appropriately shaped tube supports and dies. After shaping the forward ends, the tubes are transported to a machine which applies and bonds a ring to the outer tube near the rear end thereof. Bonding is accomplished by gluing the ring to the outer surface of the tube with a suitable adhesive deposited in drops by an extrusion means.

Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 1 56 JOSEPH A. voss BY CARL w. JOHNSON F245 Bowen ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 7 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOSEPH A. voss r BY CARL w. JOHNSON FRASER BoGucKl A TTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 3 \Q h w :96

, A c5 "'llllLlllm/l 1"" INVENTORS JOSEPH A. V088 BY CARL W. JOHNSON F F UCK I ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet &

INVENTORS JOSEPH A. VOSS BY CARL W. JOHNSON FRASER 306 ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

2.1 Sheets-Sheet 6 290 DWELL 292 502 AIR -PRESSURE INDEX 294 L LE mom. 4 ER (296 SUPPLY nsr- 29 INVEN PH A. BY w. JOHNSON FRASER j F sucm ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG.-- l5 I72 I62 no I68 INVENTORS JOSEPH A. VOSS BY CARL W. JOHNSON FRASER f Boauuo ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 SheetsSheet 8 FlG.-28

INVENTORS JOSEPH A.V0 CARL W. JOHN FRASER PoGucKI ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 STA. d

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INVENTORS JOSEPH A. VOSS y CARL W. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 21 Sheets-Sheet 11 MN dI INVENTORS JOSEPH A. VOSS BY CARL W. JOHNSON FRASER 2060mm ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 12 FlG.-24..

J Femal 1; 306ml ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 21 Sheets-Sheet 13 FlG.-26

INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. VOSS CARL W. JOHNSON jBY FRASER i B GucKI A TTORNE YS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTURS JOSEPH A.VOSS

FIG. 32 BY CARL w. JOHNSON FRASER Boauau A TTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 16 INVENTORS JOSEPH A. V055 BY CARL W. JOHNSON FRAsEIZ 306mm! ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 18 =&

0 450 l l 450 354 %,4 m l Fla-42 jrgpligglgggilllgn INVENTORS JOSEPH A. voss BY CARL w. JOHNSON FPASEIZ goG cKl ATTORNEYS Patented March 9, 1971 3,568,577

21 Sheets-Sheet 19 I4 422 410 Q 0 M2 Q 354 I i h l 420 354 E q m LOAD Ii I. J I i s54 i UNLOAD 540 V/ //,i

F l G. 39

INVENTORS JOSEPH A. voss BY CARL w. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS 

1. In an apparatus for automatically fabricating tampon applicator tubes, said tubes each having a forward end and a rear end, a machine for shaping the forward end of the tubes comprising: a first movable member; a plurality of elongated tube support means attached to said first movable member and projecting therefrom, said tube support means being shaped to slidably receive said tubes in axial fashion with the forward portion of said tubes projecting from the forward end of said tube support means and including resilient means adapted to be engaged by the rear ends of the tubes; means coupled to the first movably member for intermittently rotating said member through successive operational dwell stations between tube loading and unloading stations; a second movable member; a plurality of tube shaping elements attached to said second movable member and projecting therefrom in axial alignment with the tube support means to engage the forward ends of the tubes during dwell of the first movable member, said tubes being adapted to slide rearwardly on the support means against the bias of the resilient means as a result of the engagement of the tube ends of the shaping elements to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the overall length of the tubes and to cushion the contact of said tube shaping elements against the forward ends of the tubes; and means coupled to the second movable member for reciprocating the second member toward and away from the first movable member between tube engaging and disengaging positions, respectively in timed relation with the intermittent rotation of the first member.
 2. A machine, as defined in claim 1, in which: the first movable member comprises a rotatable turret; the indexing means comprises a Geneva movement driven by a continuously rotating motor means; the reciprocating means includes a piston coupled to the second movable member, a cylinder enclosing said piston and connected through valve means to a pressurized source of fluid; and said machine further including a cam connected to rotate with the Geneva movement motor drive means, and operatively associated with switch means to actuate the valve means.
 3. A machine as defined in claim 1 in which the reciprocating means includes a cam rotated in timed relation with the indexing means, and a follower fixed to the second movable member and biased into continuous contact with the profiled surface of the cam.
 4. In an apparatus for automatically fabricating tamPon applicator tubes, said tubes having a forward end and a rear end, a machine for shaping the forward end of the tubes comprising: a base; a first turret, mounted on the base for rotation about an axis; an array of substantially identical, spaced, elongated tube support means projecting from the turret parallel to the axis, each support means comprising; a punch for receiving a tube and having a rear end fixedly secured to the turret and a forward end provided with a shape conforming to the final tube end shape, a sleeve mounted on the punch, the sleeve being axially slidable along the punch between limits and having a radially projecting flange at its forward extremity adapted to be engaged by the tampon applicator tube held by the punch, the length of the portion of the punch extending forwardly of the shoulder being shorter than the length of the tube to be processed, and resilient means interposed between the flange and the turret for biasing the sleeve away from the turret; means coupled to the first turret for rotationally indexing said turret to successive dwell stations, said stations being equal in number to the number of support means; a second turret mounted on the base for reciprocation toward and from the first turret in a direction parallel to the axis; means coupled to the second turret for reciprocating said turret in timed relation with the indexing of the first turret; a number of elongated tube shaping and processing elements fixedly mounted on and projecting from the second turret toward the first turret parallel to the axis and adapted to substantially simultaneously act upon the forward ends of the tubes held by the support means, each said element being in axial alignment with one of the tube support means during dwell of the first turret, said elements including at least; a crimping die for forming a plurality of folds in the forward portion of the applicator tubes, and a compression die, conforming to the final shape of the forward end of the tube, for pressing the forward end of each tube against the forward end of the punch to fold the forward ends of the tubes inwardly.
 5. Apparatus, as defined in claim 4, which includes abutment means fixed with respect to the base and adapted to be engaged by the flanges of the sleeves to limit rearward motion thereof during the tube crimping operation.
 6. A machine, as defined in claim 4, in which: the front ends of said punches and the compression die means having matched, generally conical shapes; the tube shaping and processing elements further include at least one male exercising die adapted to unfold the crimped tube end after compression thereof to weaken said tube end, and a second female compression die means for recompressing the tube end after the exercising operation; and the machine further including means attached to the base for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the tubes during the exercising operation to prevent said tubes from being drawn off the punches by the exercising die upon retraction of the second turret.
 7. A machine, as defined in claim 7, in which: the front ends of the punches and the compression die means have matched, generally conical shapes; the tube shaping and processing elements further include a plurality of male exercising dies having progressively larger diameters for progressively unfolding the crimped tube ends to thereby weaken the folds in the tube end, and a second compression die for recompressing the tube ends after the exercising operation, the second compression die including an axially disposed, resiliently biased pin for extending into the forward end of the tube to form a central hole in the shaped forward end of said tube; and said machine further including means attached to the base for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the tubes during the exercising operation to prevent the tubes from being drawn off the punches by the exercising dies upon Retraction of the second turret.
 8. A machine, as defined in claim 4, in which the front ends of said punches and the interior of said compression die have matched, generally necked down shapes.
 9. A machine, as defined in claim 4, in which the means for reciprocating the second turret includes an axially disposed cylinder affixed to the base, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and attached to the second turret, valve means operatively associated with said indexing means to alternately connect opposite ends of the cylinder to a fluid pressure source to advance and retract the piston and second turret during each dwell period.
 10. A machine, as defined in claim 4, in which: each punch includes an outer, axially extending tubular portion secured to said first turret, stem means slidably disposed within the bore of said tubular member; the machine further including means for moving said stem means forward a sufficient distance to penetrate and unfold the forward, crimped end of said tube; and means for holding the applicator tubes to restrain the tubes against being pushed off the punch by the stem means during the exercising operation.
 11. A machine, as defined in claim 10, in which the means for moving said stem means includes: a cylinder means disposed parallel to the axis and positioned to be in successive, coaxial alignment with the stem means during dwell; a piston in the cylinder with a forwardly extending plunger adapted to engage the rear end of said stem means; and valve means coupled to a source of fluid pressure and connected to admit pressurized fluid alternately into opposite ends of said cylinder, said valve means being energized in timed relation with said first turret indexing means to advance and retract the piston during each dwell period.
 12. A machine, as defined in claim 4, which includes: a magazine for holding a supply of applicator tube blanks, a tube feed element in alignement with successive tube support means during dwell, said feed element being secured to the second turret to reciprocate therewith and load tubes in succession from the magazine onto the tube support means at a loading station; and means for removing a shaped tube from the tube support means during each dwell period at an unloading station, the removing means including a motor driven, rotatably wheel with radially extending resilient paddles for frictionally engaging the tubes during rotation in a direction to move the tube off the tube support means.
 13. A machine, as defined in claim 12, in which: the shaped tubes are unloaded into a conduit for transferring the tubes for further processing; the machine further including; air ejector means connected to the conduit for assisting the movement of said tubes away from the unloading station, said air ejector means including means for directing a jet of air into the conduit in the downstream direction.
 14. In an apparatus for shaping the forward end portions of tubes, said tubes including rear extremities, the combination comprising: a turret; a plurality of tube support means carried by said turret, each said tube support means including; an elongated punch fixed at one end to said turret and projecting therefrom, sleeve means disposed about said punch and slidable along said punch, a portion of said punch projecting forwardly from the forward extremity of said sleeve means, said portion being adapted to slidably receive one of said tubes, means for limiting the displacement of said sleeve means relative to said punch, and means interposed between said sleeve means and said turret for resiliently biasing said sleeve means away from said turret, said rear extremity of said tube bearing against said sleeve means; means carrying tube shaping elements for engaging the forward ends of said tubes to thereby shape said tube ends; and means for intermittently moving said turret and said means carrying said tube sHaping elements relative to one another in timed relation to bring said forward ends of said tubes, said tubes thereby moving rearwardly against the bias of said resilient biasing means to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the overall length of said tubes and to cushion the contact of said tube shaping elements against the forward ends of said tubes.
 15. A combination, as defined in claim 14 in which: said punch is provided with a longitudinally extending bore; the combination further including an elongated stem slidably disposed in said bore for axial movement, said stem including an enlarged head projecting from the forward end of said punch and having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said punch; and a spring interposed between the rear end of said punch and the rear extremity of the stem to bias said head rearwardly into engagement with the forward extremity of said punch.
 16. In an apparatus for shaping the forward ends of tubes, said tubes having rear extremities, the combination including: a first member having an axis; a plurality of die means affixed to and projecting from said first member parallel to said axis treating said tube ends in sequence, said die means including; a tube end crimping die forming a series of longitudinally extending folds in said tube end, a first female folding die, having a cavity conforming generally to the final shape of the tube, die means shaped to penetrate said tube end and unfold said tube end, a second female folding die having a cavity conforming generally to the final shape of the tube and including centrally located means forming an axially disposed aperture in the forward end of said tube, and a second member positioned opposite said first member coaxially therewith; means for intermittently moving said first and second members relative to one another in timed relation to bring said die means into successive engagement with the forward ends of said tubes; and a plurality of support means projecting from said second member for holding said tubes, said support means including resilient means engaged by said rear extremities of said tubes and permitting said tubes to move rearwardly against the bias thereof during treatment of said forward ends of said tubes by said die means to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the overall length of said tubes and to cushion the contact of said die means against said forward ends of said tubes.
 17. Apparatus, as defined in claim 16, in which said penetrating die means includes a plurality of generally cylindrical male dies having progressively larger diameters and provided with a generally conical tip portion. 